Chapter 30
CARTER
“Carter, come on. Don’t take the Connor case,” Anthony said.
I’d asked my two partners into our meeting room to let them know what I was planning to do.
“I’m not asking for permission.”
I’d made up my mind the second Val texted me, asking me for lawyer recommendations because hers dropped the case. I’d missed her call because I’d been with a client, and she was in a meeting now, but I’d talk to her afterward.
“The case is too public,” Anthony continued. “And the trial date is in three weeks. If you lose, it’ll cost us a lot of business.”
“I am not planning to lose it. And again, I’m not asking for permission.”
“We’re all partners in this,” Zachary reminded me. “You can’t put our reputation on the line for some woman you’re dating.”
No one spoke for a few seconds. I could already feel a vein pulsing in my temple.
“Zachary, I’d shut up now if I were you,” I said dangerously. Val wasn’t just some woman.
“Look, Carter, I wouldn’t touch this with a ten-foot pole,” Anthony added. “We can’t stop you if you want to take the case, but is she really worth the risk?”
“Yes. Yes, she is.”
I wanted to take on Val’s case. I wanted to fight on her behalf. I was a damn good lawyer. I couldn’t just stand by as she went through this mess. I dropped by her office around the time she’d told me her meeting would end.
It was apparent that everyone except Val had left.
I found her sitting on her desk. I could only see her back, but she was obviously tense.
Her spine was straight, and her shoulders looked stiff.
She’d been talking on the phone, but she must have heard me come in because she muttered a quick “I’ll call you later” before placing the phone on the table and glancing at me over her shoulder.
I went straight to her, hooking an arm around her waist and bringing her to the edge of the desk.
Then I kissed her, deep and slow. She kissed me back, reluctantly at first, but as I demanded more, Val gave in, releasing a small moan against my mouth, burying one hand in my hair and pressing her heels into the backs of my thighs, urging me closer.
I wanted to wring out every single drop of tension from her, drive out all her worries.
I pulled back a little, tipping her head up.
“Hey,” I greeted.
“Hey.”
“What have you been up to?”
“Regrouping, mostly. Landon found a few law firms, but the ones I’ve spoken to are reluctant to jump in so late. Have you thought about any recommendations?”
Right. She’d texted me to ask for recommendations. I’d completely forgotten.
“Val, I want to represent you. I want to be your lawyer.”
She blinked up at me. “What?”
Okay, so I’d expected a more enthusiastic reaction.
“I know you said we should keep the professional and personal separate, but the situation has changed.”
“I know, but what about your firm? Have you talked to your partners?”
“I informed them, yes. They weren’t thrilled, for the same reasons your previous lawyer gave you. I don’t really give a damn. Why are you hesitating? Why didn’t you even ask me to be your lawyer?” My voice was harsh, but I was a little pissed that she hadn’t even considered it.
My heart was racing as I considered all possibilities. The lawyer in me wondered if she didn’t trust my abilities. The man in me was fearing that she wanted to keep the lines between professional and personal intact because her feelings didn’t run as deep as mine did.
“It’s a risky move for you, Carter. I didn’t think it would be fair to ask you.”
She started twiddling her thumbs in her lap.
“I’m offering.”
“I’ve just….” She trailed off and took a deep breath before continuing. “No one outside of my family has ever wanted to put themselves on the line like this for me.”
“Val, I want to fight for you. I want to win this for you. Just say yes.”
She nodded, and I released a breath, leaning closer, feathering my lips over hers.
“Should we start right away?” she asked.
“No. I’ll wake up early tomorrow and look over all the documents. But tonight, I want you to forget about everything, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you for taking the case. And for being here for me.”
“This is my place. Next to you. For the good and the bad. It’s not all going to be smooth sailing, but you can count on me through all the ups and downs. I promise you can count on me.”
“Thank you.”
Her voice was a little shaky, as if she feared the idea just as much as she wanted it. I understood her perfectly. We’d both been through the wringer before, and it had ended up in either heartbreak or disappointment, or both.
“So, how are you going to make me forget about everything?”
“You mean my natural charm isn’t enough?” I wiggled my eyebrows at her.
She grinned. “I don’t know. I think you should up your game.”
“I see. Are you sure you can take it?”
I slid a hand under her skirt, placing it midthigh. Her eyes flared, and she licked her lips.
“Hmm… maybe I shouldn’t trust such a devious man after all. Your mind is always wandering into dirty territory.”
I tilted my head. “Not this time.”
“Really? What’s your hand doing under my skirt, then?”
“The first step in helping you relax. That’s on the agenda tonight.”
“No, no. I owe you some quality relaxation time.” She narrowed her eyes playfully. “In fact, I know what would make both of us relax.”
“Care to share?”
“Nah, I think I’ll torment you for a while.”
I promptly attacked, withdrawing my hand from under her skirt and leaning closer. She leaned back at my abrupt approach, balancing herself on her hands. I saw my opening then and tickled her armpits.
Val laughed wholeheartedly. I was so proud I’d made her laugh tonight.
“Stop, stop, stop.”
“Still not sharing?”
She shook her head. I changed tactics, bracing my hands on her waist instead.
I ran the tip of my nose up and down her neck. She shuddered, and I took immense pleasure at the way her body reacted to me. Her hips slid forward an inch, as if searching for me. When I cupped her bra over her shirt, drawing circles around the peak, she arched her lower back, moaning.
“I’ll make you tell me,” I promised.
“Oh, I know you will.”